Connector for fuel stringer duct

Abstract

A connector for connecting a fluid flow duct to a fuel stringer duct. The connector comprises a body having an internal channel for fluid passage between a first opening and a second opening of the body. A flange surrounds the first opening, the flange configured for insertion into a hole formed in a wall of the fuel stringer duct. An outer surface of the flange is provided with a first sealing member that surrounds the flange, the first sealing member configured to form a seal between the outer surface of the flange and an internal surface of the hole formed in the wall of the fuel stringer duct.

Claimed is: 
     
         1 . A connector for connecting a fluid flow duct to a fuel stringer duct, the connector comprising:
 a body, the body comprising
 a first opening on a first face, 
 a second opening on a second face, the second face configured for connection with the fluid flow duct, 
 an internal channel for fluid passage between the first opening and the second opening, and 
 a flange that surrounds the first opening on the first face, the flange configured for insertion into a hole formed in a wall of the fuel stringer duct, wherein an outer surface of the flange is provided with a first sealing member that surrounds the flange, the first sealing member configured to form a seal between the outer surface of the flange and an internal surface of the hole formed in the wall of the fuel stringer duct. 
   
     
     
         2 . The connector according to  claim 1 , wherein the first sealing member is spaced apart from the first face of the body. 
     
     
         3 . The connector according to  claim 2 , wherein the first sealing member is spaced apart from the first face of the body by between approximately 2 and 6 millimeters. 
     
     
         4 . The connector according to  claim 3 , wherein the first sealing member is an o-ring. 
     
     
         5 . The connector according to  claim 4 , wherein the outer surface of the flange is formed with a groove which extends around a circumference of the flange and the o-ring is situated within the groove. 
     
     
         6 . The connector according to  claim 1 , wherein the connector comprises bridging members that extend from the body at opposing sides of the first opening, the bridging members configured to bridge over the fuel stringer duct at either side of the fuel stringer duct, wherein the bridging members comprise a foot for securing the connector to a surface at either side of the fuel stringer duct. 
     
     
         7 . The connector according to  claim 1 , wherein the connector is provided with holes for fastening the connector to the fuel stringer duct. 
     
     
         8 . An aircraft structure comprising:
 a fuel stringer duct and   the connector according to  claim 1 ,   wherein the fuel stringer duct comprises a wall formed with a hole through a thickness of the wall, and,   wherein the flange of the connector is positioned within the hole, and the first sealing member forms a seal between the outer surface of the flange and an internal surface of the hole, the first sealing member being positioned between opposing surfaces of the wall.   
     
     
         9 . The aircraft structure according to  claim 8 , wherein the internal surface of the hole is formed by an additional sealing member and the first sealing member is in direct contact with the additional sealing member to form the seal between the outer surface of the flange and an in internal surface of the hole. 
     
     
         10 . The aircraft structure according to  claim 8 , wherein the connector comprises bridging members that extend from the body at opposing sides of the first opening, the bridging members configured to bridge over the fuel stringer duct at either side of the fuel stringer duct, wherein the bridging members comprise a foot for securing the connector to a surface at either side of the fuel stringer duct, and
 wherein the bridging members bridge over the fuel stringer duct at either side of the fuel stringer duct and each of the feet is secured to a surface of the aircraft structure at the side of the fuel stringer duct.   
     
     
         11 . The aircraft structure according to  claim 8 , wherein the connector is provided with holes for fastening the connector to the fuel stringer duct, and
 wherein the connector is fastened to a wall of the fuel stringer duct.